Mideast 'facing obesity crisis'

OBESITY in the Middle East accounts for 50 per cent of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and cancer, says an expert.

A comprehensive strategy to combat obesity is vital in this part of the world, said Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research under-secretary Dr Abdulla Sadiq.

"Obesity globally is as widespread as hunger," he said.

"We must start at the family level and in schools and the community.

"Diet and exercise are two of the main factors needed to combat obesity, but we can't only focus on these things."

Dr Sadiq was speaking at the opening of the Third Arab Conference on Obesity and Physical Activity, which continues at the Gulf Hotel until tomorrow.

The three-day event is organised by the Arab Centre for Nutrition, Arab Taskforce for Obesity and Physical Activity and the BCSR.

King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia physical activity Professor Dr Hazza Al Hazza explained that an obesity study was conducted last year on 8,000 secondary students living in Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Iraq, Amman and Cairo.

The study looked at hours spent sleeping, eating, watching TV, exercising and other activities.

He said general findings showed that obesity was higher in Gulf countries than Iraq and Jordan.

"The Gulf is doing worse because they are less active than other Arab countries," said Professor Al Hazza.

"The less active youth are, the fatter they are.

"We found those who walked to school were less likely to become obese.

"In Saudi Arabia, 80pc of students go to school by car and only 20pc walk and now riding a bike is a very rare occurrence."

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